Taking a Taxi
Spanish Video Lesson – Taking a Taxi
Taking a Taxi and Bargaining with the Driver
Taking a taxi in a foreign country can be a fun and interesting experience. If you watched the video, you’ll see that Dave explains how you can bargain for a better price with the taxi driver. It is actually expected that you bargain for a better price. If they notice that you don’t look like a native, they will give you a higher price than normal because they suspect that you don’t know any better. Have you ever noticed that things generally cost more in tourist locations? I think that it might be expected that tourists will pay more for anything because they are tourists and not necessarily bargain hunters. That doesn’t have to be the case when bargaining for a taxi. Use the phrases that Dave taught you, and you will have a bit more fun and save a few dollars at the same time.
Please visit us on Facebook and answer the question “¿A dónde quiere ir?”, which means “Where do you want to go?”. Answer by saying: “Quiero tomar un taxi a…” (I want to take a taxi to…) and then tell us (we will act like the drivers) where you want to go. It will be good practice and you just might win something for your participation.
If you didn’t take any notes from the video, here is the new vocabulary you will find helpful in your humble beginnings of the acquisition of this great language called Spanish:
| Taxi | Taxi |
| Where can I take a taxi? | ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi? |
| How much is it to the hotel? | ¿A cuánto está al hotel? |
| How much is it to the Garzas Hotel? | ¿A cuánto está al hotel Las Garzas? |
| How much is it to the airport? | ¿A cuánto está al aeropuerto? |
| No way…too much. | Demasiado…ni hablar. |
| I’m going to take another taxi. | Voy a tomar otro taxi. |
| I’m a gringo but I’m not dumb. | Soy gringo pero no soy tonto. |
| (female) I’m a gringa but I’m not dumb. | Soy gringa pero no soy tonta. |
| Can you recommend some tourist spots? | ¿Puede recomendar algunos lugares turístocos? |
| That was nice of you. | Muy amable. |
| Thanks for taking us. | Gracias por llevarnos. |
When taking a taxi in a foreign country, you should take advantage of the opportunity to speak to your taxi driver. Practice new Spanish sayings have learned and ask questions about the place you are visiting. You may learn about a hidden gem in the foreign country which you otherwise would have never known. Be sure to thank the taxi driver for his/her services. I look forward to seeing where you want to go in a Taxi on the Visual Link Spanish Facebook page.
Future Facebook Fiesta Friday Topics:
June 17, 2011 – What to Say When You’re Angry
June 24, 2011 – Summer Activities
July 1, 2011 – ?? What do you want to learn?
Join us weekly on Facebook Fiesta Friday to practice your Spanish.
